A CYCLIST from Exeter, formerly of Morchard Bishop and well-known in the Crediton area, took part in a final #GoodbyeLegsRide to raise money for charity before voluntarily having both legs amputated.

Tom Staniford cycled on Sunday, April 27 with many friends and family, and was raising funds for Devon Air Ambulance, Wheels for Wellbeing, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and the Devon and Exeter Institution.

Tom, centre, with his supporters who joined him on his charity cycle ride in Exeter. AQ 9474
Tom, centre, with his supporters who joined him on his charity cycle ride in Exeter. AQ 9474 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Tom Staniford before his #GoodbyeLegsRide to raise money for charity before voluntarily having both legs amputated. AQ 9447
Tom Staniford before his #GoodbyeLegsRide to raise money for charity before voluntarily having both legs amputated. AQ 9447 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Tom has MDT syndrome, a rare genetic condition, which he said limited his "mobility and my ability to be active".

His first operation is scheduled for May 21 to remove his right leg and then his left leg is due to be amputated at a later date.

He said he had always enjoyed riding a bike and when he was younger enjoyed distance running but as his condition progressed running became painful.

Mr Staniford said: "Because I'm not putting weight on my feet and because I'm not using my feet the bone density is dropping, which means that now the bones are starting to crumble and that is poses an increasingly large infection risk.

Tom with representatives from one of his charity’s. AQ 9445
Tom with representatives from one of his charity’s. AQ 9445 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Tom being interviewed for BBC Spotlight. AQ 9450
Tom being interviewed for BBC Spotlight. AQ 9450 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

"To avoid that infection risk and also to try and give me a bit of mobility and better quality of life we've gone for the elective double leg amputation below the knee."

In 2005 Mr Staniford was involved in an accident and was supported by Devon's Air Ambulance.

He said: "Because I've used my legs so heavily over the years and had such great adventures and great fun with them, it seemed like a shame to just kind of let it go without something to mark the occasion and I thought... might as well try and raise some money for charity at the same time."

Tom and his mother before he began his charity cycle ride. AQ 9461
Tom and his mother before he began his charity cycle ride. AQ 9461 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The ride began at Exeter Quayside and continued down to the Double Locks pub before returning to Exeter Quay.

Donations are open until end of May at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/goodbye-legs